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OTTAWA - The NDP's policy on the Mideast hasn't changed, but its politics have, says a political scientist who's been following the party's fortunes.

Nelson Wiseman, a professor with the University of Toronto, says that since riding a wave of support into official Opposition status in 2011, the NDP has been far less open to its MPs "freelancing" on the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

And that's caused friction among some caucus members and long-time supporters.

MP Sana Hassainia quit the party Wednesday, saying its initial pro-Israeli statement on the latest eruption of violence in the Mideast was "despicable."

The NDP claims Hassainia had never voiced concern over its stance until her surprise resignation, and argues its policy on the conflict hasn't changed -- it officially supports "peaceful co-existence in viable, independent states with agreed-upon borders, an end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and an end to violence targeting civilians."

"I buy the NDP's line on this," Wiseman said.

"Now, they're in official Opposition, (Leader Thomas) Mulcair's serious about trying to win power - if you're trying to win power, you can't have MPs freelancing."

British Columbia New Democrat Libby Davies used to be outspoken in her support of the pro-Palestine cause and attended pro-Palestinian rallies.

On her Facebook page, Davies recently shared the NDP statements on the conflict -- as well as an article about an NDP supporter who claimed his nomination bid was rejected over past comments he made on the Mideast.

Davies wasn't available for comment.

And in July, a group of pro-Gaza activists briefly occupied the Ottawa office of the party's foreign affairs critic, Paul Dewar.

But Dewar disagrees with Wiseman's assessment.

"To say people are being muzzled -- I would strongly contest that," he said Thursday, calling the party's stand on the recent outbreak of violence "a responsible response" and criticizing the Tories' "rubber-stamp" of the Israeli government and the Liberals, who "stand for nothing."

In 2011, Quebec MP Alexandre Boulerice yanked his backing of a humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza after a media flap over his support and a "conversation" with late party leader Jack Layton.